Home & Garden Blog » Entertaining

It’s the time of year when things are getting desperate. If you can’t figure out how to keep your guests cool during summer dinner parties or grilling sessions, then you won’t be able to get friends to stay over your house at all. Believe me, I ran that risk last night, where even the slightest boiling of water in my 3rd floor, un-air conditioned apartment resulted in us packing up the dinner picnic-style and moving out to the waterfront bay down the street. It was all in good fun, though not the most convenient, as we didn’t have a proper bathroom or trashcan, but it ended with some fun pick-up wiffle ball games and a good view of sunset.

I digress. Basically the moral of the story is that, at this time of year, even if you’ve gone the whole summer without sufficient cooling devices, you need them now almost definitely. And luckily, a lot of fans, umbrellas, and cooling devices are on sale because it’s so late in the season!

Top picks on sales and clearances for patio umbrellas:

California Umbrella SMCU758: $165.00, marked down from $194.12

Oxford Garden 6 ft Market Umbrella: $111.97, marked down from $159.95

Umbrella Source 6ft Lifeguard Umbrella: $221.22, marked down from $292.50

Find more affordable patio umbrellas.

When it’s too hot to stay in your un-air conditioned home (as it was, tonight, when I returned from work) the best advice I can give is to pack up some sandwiches and salads and head to the nearest park, lake, or waterway. Provided there aren’t too many mosquitoes in your area, the impromptu outdoor dinner picnic will be a welcome adventure for your significant other, children, or extended family. Don’t make it into a stressful affair, picnics are intimate and panned on a whim. Enjoy the last few days of summer with outdoor eating while you can, before school and responsibility takes over. Make sure you have all the necessities: good, well-packed and protected foods, refreshing cool drinks, blankets, and of course, the necessary picnic basket.

Here are some of our top picks for affordable picnic baskets:

Viridian Insulated Picnic Basket for 2 from PicnicBaskets.com: $99.99

Comes with 2 wine glasses and a complete set of dinnerware and silverware, plus the extra bonus: an insulated, zip-up bottom layer for all your chilled beverages and foods!

Vestige Empty Picnic Basket from PicnicBaskets.com: $44.99

If you only need the shell, this is the perfect little wicker basket with tons of space inside for the packings.

Scarlet Backpack Picnic Basket: $39.99

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more picnic baskets.

Playing around in the waves of the sea or splashing in the backyard or neighborhood pool are some of my fondest, most relaxing memories from this summer so far. I’m not that big of a fan of swimming for exercise, but floating around in the water or feeling the squish of the wet sand beneath my toes is always one of my favorite things to do in the summer. When it’s really scorching, I know there are only a few necessities to complete a perfect day: loads of sunscreen, and a HUGE beach towel. I don’t like to be wasteful, so while I would say bring along two or three so you can have one to lay on, one for the first dip out of the water, and one for the second dip out of the water, I’ll just say pick one, enormous beach towel in a fun bright color and make a day of it. Though with all these cheap deals on packages of towels, I’m tempted to say bring along them all and show them off at the next pool party.

Seasonal Spotlights on Beach and Pool Towels:

Beach Basics: Striped 2-package Beach Towels by Target.com: $12.99

So Cheap! Two for one package deal!

Twister Game Beach Towel by JustBeachTowels.com: $23.99

Comes with inflatable dice!

Blue Stripe Cabana Beach Towel by BeachTowelPlus.com: $12.00

Beautiful, classic, this is a towel you don’t want to ruin!

Shop for more discount beach towels at Smarter.com:

The New York Times Home and Garden style viewbook today talks about two sister collectors with an obsession with all things curious and Victorian. Described as the “New Vintage” life, collectors Hollister and Porter Hovey decorate their Williamsburg, Brooklyn in 19th century throwbacks, from the old stuffed dressmaker’s dummy to the apothecary cabinet and fencing equipment. The interest is a draw for “authenticity” in aesthetic: object are prized more for their stories than for their color scheme or ability to match the sofa.

Want to make your home into an eclectic mix of Victorian and personal family lore? First you want to start with gathering up any old family heirlooms, trinkets, jewelry, etc and finding the perfect glass-front cabinet to store them in. The idea is to fill the space, so that all of the stories and objects look interweaved, as opposed to carefully separated and cleaned like a museum display.

Dark Walnut Oval-Shaped Curio Cabinet with Curved Glass-Front Panels: $1,110.32 (marked down from $1,299.00, shipping included).

Maybe you have some vintage beads, seashells, sand, etc that you want to hold on to from a family vacation or prized family heirloom. Maybe you just want to collect something bizarre, like matchbooks, and keep them in an interesting, visible place. Try apothecary jars: they are large and interestingly shaped. Much better for display that the shoebox under your bed!

Glass Apothecary Jar by Save-On-Crafts.com: $26.99/each or 2 for $22/each

No sitting area or Victorian home is complete without proper seating for entertaining. Though hoopskirts have since gone out of fashion, the lounging chaise chairs have not, and provide a beautiful throw-back to a bygone era of Jane Austen and Marie Antoinette.

Tan Chaise Lounge Chair: $299.99

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more Chase lounge chairs and Curio cabinets.
Discounts on apothecary jars.

Don’t tell me the energy and zeal of the 4th of July has already worn off!  I’m so glad the weather turned out so well during the holiday weekend I can’t stop talking about it, as I suffer through rainy days and sweatshirts on my way to work….in mid-July!  To bring back some of that holiday spirit (and hopefully, the weather too!) I decided to look and see how many patriotic home decorations I could buy without being too over the top.  With the help of the William-Sonoma online sale section, this was easy.  William-Sonoma’s sale page is organized according to the usage of each product, but the “New” sale section is where I really partied down.  Check out some of these fabulous and thrifty patriotic purchases coming from an otherwise expensive and elite home decor furnishing store.  You’ll be waving your flag of approval in no time!

Exclusive William-Sonoma American Flag and Pole Set: $89.99 marked down from $119.00.  It’s never to late to put up a patriotic flag, and you’ll always feel good about it.

Exclusive Bold Stripe Apron:  $17.99 marked down from $24.00.  The stripes may be in patriotic colors, but don’t fret this well-enforced apron is tasteful enough to wear year round!

Bold Stripe Mitt: $8.99 marked down from $12.00.  It matches the apron (which may be a little too matchy-matchy for some) but it’s a beautiful, thick design and could bring you some good luck from the barbeque saints of patriotic holidays past.

Enjoy!

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more oven mitts, aprons and American flags.

As if you couldn’t get enough of patriotic events from this past weekend, consider taking on another countries traditions and firin’ up the barbie and breaking out the firecrackers for July 14th, Bastille Day.  Bastille Day is the French national holiday that celebrates the storming of the Bastille in 1789 that is said to symbolize the rise of France as a modern nation.  Complete with parades, festivities and a firecracker-laden Eiffel Tower, there are plenty of ways to bring home the joy and revolutionary spirit back in the States, even if you’re not from French descent.  If you’re looking for a place to celebrate with a large group of people, NYC hosts an enormous Bastille Day celebration on 60th Street in the Upper East side of Manhattan.  Philadelphia has a slightly more sarcastic and less-traditional celebration of Bastille Day, with a re-interpretation of the storming of the Bastille taking place at the Eastern State Penitentiary, where an actress playing Marie Antoinette yells “Let them eat Tastykake!” and throws the locally-manufactured sweet to the symbolic Parisian militia.  San Francisco and Seattle, for the West coasters, is said to have some elegant parades as well.

But if you want to bring a little of the Bastille back home, here are some suggestions of Thomas Schlesser, noted Francophile and restaurant architect, as interviewed by the New York Times:

Dubost Red Laguiole stainless steel flatware from SurLaTable.com: $160 for 20 pieces with storage box included.  Marked down from $199, this is not exactly a steal, but certainly an investment.  A setting includes soup spoon, dinner fork, salad fork, dinner knife and teaspoon.  Four place settings are included in the package, along with a personalized fitted wood storage tray.  Safe for dishwasher, hand dry, the product is made at a family-owned factory in France, thus making it elegant and perfect for Bastille Day, not to mention the patriotic colors.

Cour Normande Ceramic Pitcher from PierreDeux.com, $48.  A rustic piece with an adorable Coq (le francais for “rooster”) painted on the front, this piece says elegance and countryside charm.  Both dishwasher and microwave safe, this is a versatile and useful item for everything from margaritas to lemonade stands.

Have a fabulous Bastille Day, even if you don’t celebrate!

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more French style dinnerware.

What a day to go out and enjoy the backyard! But wait, do you have all the proper necessities?  Food, grills, and jovial company are the perfect ingredients for any backyard get together, but what about the amenities you need to provide to make your guests feel comfortable and taken care of?  Patio furniture, the basics, boil down to comfy chairs (sometimes rocking chairs) tables and an umbrella, which protects against sunburn and the occasional unanticipated rainstorm.  At least until your guests get back inside to enjoy the rest of the party.

Let’s start with some fabulous deals that Smarter.com features in terms of patio umbrellas:

Grandin Road - 8-rib Brella Lights-Patio Furniture for just $59.99, this beautiful spacious umbrella is illuminates your nighttime soirees!  Bathing your guests in a beautiful angelic glow, this umbrella is multi-purpose: it protects against rain and all the other nasties of the summer air, but also provides light so the party never has to stop!  This umbrella can be unplugged to then function as a normal umbrella.

In terms of the furniture, you want something long-lasting, affordable and summer chic: not too many frills or cushions.  The furniture should be able to get wet from rain, or the kids jumping around in the sprinkler and not ruin the entire look.  For this, you want to look at the Anderson Kingston Teak Armchair ($369).  This gorgeous teak armchair will last forever and never look distasteful!

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more patio umbrellas and patio chairs.

What would summer be without the pool parties, the lazy beach days, or the days lost at the local lake or pond?  While protecting your skin from sunburn and keeping the kids hydrated and safe are always the top priority, there are certain aquatic accessories, one could say, that make the days memorable for more than just the sunburn (or lack thereof).  Whether it’s a day at the pool, the beach, the lake or pond, there’s a toy or game to keep the entire family occupied.

For the pool-dwellers:   Check out this affordable Splash Volleyball Game for $29.99 at PoolSupplies.com (complete with ball and net) for the next family pool party or barbeque.  Get everyone in on the game, and get a great workout too!  Just make sure no little kiddies get trampled in all the excitement—designate one adult to be the “lifeguard” for the day, or just the game.  Make sure you pass the duty around—it’s everyone’s responsibility to keep the children safe!

For the beach-bummers:  I’ve always called them “boogie boards”, but the traditional name would be “Bodyboards”.  No matter what you call them, an investment in a good board is totally worth it!  Bodyboards are much easier to learn, use and travel with than surfboards, and often are much less expensive.  Make sure you buy a good quality bodyboard, though, because the cheap foam or plastic ones barely do more than float.  If you’re really in the mood for speed, check out the Turbo IV PP Model Bodyboard 42” starting at $199.99.  A little on the pricey side, but this board has everything you could ever want.  Leash not included, but available at additional price.

And for the lake-lovers:  We know what’s important.  Lakes are for barbeques and outdoor drinking fun.  Check out this fun little invention: a Stowable Floating Cooler!  With extra stability so you don’t lose your drink, this Cooler can hold up to 18 cans of beer!  At only $26.99, there’s no reason not to test it out.   Cooler comes with built-in carry bag and detachable shoulder strap.  Not recommended for the beach, where waves could tip the precious cargo overboard.  Enjoy!

No matter what waterway suits your fancy, there are plenty of aquatic toys to enjoy.  Plenty fine ways to combine comfort, safety and exercise—and why not cool off with a little floatable drink stand as your reward?

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more coolers and ice chests.
Discounts on pool toys & games.

I went to the Las Vegas Market recently & for some reason I got drawn to these liquid containers. Maybe because they were filled with tequila or vodka infused with orange and pineapple slices :). The cocktail was my escape from a stressful & tiring week. But back to these containers….

Forgive me for being clueless, I found out they are called a samovar. A samovar is an urn with a spigot or faucet used to boil water for tea. What one showroom did was place them in a round table & each samovar contained a different cocktail. They looked extremely charming & inviting as you can see all the fruit slices floating giving it so much color, perfect for parties or wedding receptions even.

They can get pretty pricey, almost $300 at retail but I think their look is timeless at any event.

Well, you need a perfect cocktail recipe for that samovar. Here’s one for you. Enjoy!

Tequila SeaBreeze

One of the things that is sorely lacking in today’s fast paced world is quality “family time”. Lord I sound like a politician, but I actually mean it.

When I was young I remember playing Monopoly with my siblings and occasionally my parents would even join in. I can’t remember the last time that happened?

And its not just that my siblings and I are older, because some of them have kids now. So why don’t those kids play games or spend time with the family anymore? Every family party we have all the younger kids are off in a corner on their portable gaming devices, barely looking up to eat and breathe. All I am saying is there is no substitute for good old fashioned quality time with the fams…

Which is why I would like to promote the Deluxe Game Tables from GoodDeals.com!

These Deluxe Game Tables are brilliant additions to any game room, but even the most elegant living room will welcome these intriguing centerpiece. They elegantly display a gorgeous chess and checker board. Looking for the game pieces? You will find them discreetly tucked away in the storage drawer. This will become your most treasured piece of furniture in your home! A great game table for any home.

So start making life long memories with your family now!!

Price  $550.90 (large table) $450.97 (small table)

If you are interested in the Deluxe Game Tables - Click here!